PLAYING AFTER THE RAIN

We had some storms last week and the kids absolutely cannot go without outside time so we decided to venture out in our rain boots and go on a hunt for worms and frogs. We found two baby frogs, countless worms, and played hide and seek. After all the playing was done, we went on a walk. Diana was so excited as we had a little butterfly following us on our walk. It followed us for a good five minutes all the way back to our garage and then flew away. I was surprised later in the day to find out another child we have been praying for (Ellie) lost her battle with cancer. The butterfly was Ellie's symbol and people from all over were mentioning that they too had experiences with butterflys on the day she passed. Maybe it was just natural for all of us to notice butterflys that day or maybe it truly meant something more; either way it was a reminder to appreciate the little things in life and the health of my children. Things are never as bad or as good as they seem in life. I count my blessing DAILY that my children are healthy.

Here is Ellie's caring bridge website if you are interested in reading her story or donating to her foundation:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin

FATHERS DAY AT THE ZOO..

We went to the Madison Zoo with my parents and Janelle for Father's day. We were so happy to have Janelle ride with us. She is doing a year long internship here in Milwaukee and the kids are so excited they will get to see her more often. Now we just need Uncle Brady to finish school and move to Milwaukee too!

Did I mention I have the best Dad and husband? We had so much fun with both of them on Father's Day!!

Please note Diana's face when the tiger walked by - it really startled her when he came by out of no where.

MORE ZOO PHOTOS...

Davis looking into the tiger's eyes. He was so excited about this.
Tiger face!
The giraffes were all separated from one another due to "sparring". Davis asked what "sparring" was and I explained it was like fighting. I heard him later in the week trying to wrestle with Diana and saying "come on Diana let's spar!" That poor girl - she is one tough little lady.
Model pose...
Gymnastics pose...

ELLA'S DELI

We met my parents in Madison on Father's Day and ate at Ella's Deli. I loved going here as a kid and was excited to take Davis & Diana. They loved riding the carousel after we ate.

This carousel was originally built in 1927!!!

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU JANELLE

Look at that beautiful horse!!! Janelle, Michael, and I all thought this horse was real from a distance. The kids were so excited to go see the horse; however, as we got closer we realized it was fake. You probably had to be there but it made for a good laugh.

ALAINA'S SECOND BIRTHDAY PARTY...

...was so much fun. The pictures speak for themselves - all the kids had so much fun together.



Quadruple hug...

HIKING WITH UNCLE PAT PAT

Thank you to Uncle PatPat for taking us on a hike. We have been telling everyone that our Uncle lives by a "jungle" and haven't forgotten about the duck with the green head that we saw. Davis has been much better about walking behind Mommy instead of running ahead of her (at least sometimes anyway). Thanks for being so much fun!

PICTURE WITHIN THE PICTURE

I was editing some photos of Diana posing for a picture the other day. I had to laugh when I saw Davis in the background of the photo running over with a look of panic on his face - he needed to make his way to the restroom quickly and was yelling "hurry, Mommy, hurry!". So, even though I have tons of cute photos on my blog - life is not always as "fun" as it may look :-)



Please note Davis' facial expression - so funny...

BEAUTY IN THE WORLD...

This is a big favorite at our house lately. D&D love it!!

FIRST DAY AT CAMP MINIKANI...

Yesterday, Davis attended his first day of camp at Camp Minikani. His first "summer adventure" involved learning about squirrels and going on an acorn hunt. He is excited to go back again next week. Diana on the other hand was NOT HAPPY that she didn't get to go too. She missed the age cutoff by two months so she will have to wait until next summer. She was excited when we went to pick Davis up. As you can see she decided she should change into her swimming suit to surprise him...



After camp, we went to the sprayground. It was the perfect day for it.

SPRAY PAINT MASTERPIECE BY DAVIS...

To finish off last week's theme of painting at summer camp, Davis and the the other kids did some spray painting outside. Davis was eager to show me how they sprayed it and to inform me that he was responsible for blue and green.

Demonstrating how he sprayed the paint...

PLAYING BY THE LAKE...

Diana and I went to the lake while Davis was at Summer Camp. She is really loving her one on one Mommy time. Being the "second" child is quite different than the first. Michelle and Brooklyn met us to go for a walk. I got some really cute photos...

SUMMER KICKOFF CARNIVAL

Bayshore has free activities for the kids throughout the summer. Last week was the Summer Kickoff Carnival. Aunt Karen joined us for a day of fun including...

Bouncehouses...


A magic show...


Fun games with candy for prizes...


And lots of fun parachute games led by volunteers from a local summer camp...

THIS IS FOR YOU MOM....

After story hour on Wednesday Miss Nancy gave all the kids some paper to make a Father's Day card. Davis finished his card and asked Miss Nancy for another sheet of paper. She told him they could only have one at which point he told her "it was very important." Davis got another piece of paper, briefly wrote on it and brought it over to me. This is what was on the paper....



I was very surprised that he wrote "MOM". He wanted to make sure I had a card too, talk about melt your heart.

THESE ARE THE BEST DAYS...

We made a little pit stop after storytime last Wednesday. I'm so glad I packed their suits :-)